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21 Oct 2013

Local Politics

This is a transcript of a recent Twitter exchange between
myself (@Nimue_B) and local Labour candidate David Drew (@DavidEDrew). I think
it raises some important points and illustrates some critical issues about the
very nature of modern political debate. As it’s difficult to follow
conversations on Twitter sometimes, I am reproducing the whole thing. I have
not sought David’s permission, but as he is a local political figure and the
whole thing took place in that most visible public sphere – Twitter – I think
this is ok. Other people have been participating in the conversation, but not
in a way that has affected the overall direction, so for clarity I have not
included those other voices. Anyone very keen to know can no doubt squeeze the
whole exchange out of Twitter.

There was also some debate between David Drew and Molly
Scott Cato before I became involved, again, for clarity I’m starting at the
point where I came in on the 13th October. I do not believe that
distorts anything. Typos all included, extra @s left out for ease of reading.

David
Drew: Much more point than Greens which has no roots in working class politics!

Nimue:
My Gran was a Labour councillor. I'm Green cos I see more social justice
from Greens than Labour.

David Drew: Deluded
then!

Nimue: show me the policies and evidence to prove
otherwise, David.

Nimue: I also like the respectful behaviour of Greens,
good manners are worth a lot. Respect, at all?

Nimue (18th Oct) : Still waiting to hear about
social justice policies from @DavidEDrew what
should I be reading, David? What should I know?

David Drew: Read RH Tawney and then you're get it!

Nimue: just to confirm you mean the chap who died in
1962? Was hoping for contemporary policy statements.

Nimue: Looing at The Acquisitive Society by R. H. Tawney
online, cannot square it to modern Labour policy

David Drew: Since when are we not supposed to draw on
important historical individuals; oh forgot Greens have no history which is
their problem

Nimue: please talk to me about how Tawney's thinking
manifests in modern labour policy, am interested.

Nimue: Surely we all draw on the same radical roots. We
all choose our roots. Would they have chosen us? I cannot say. I'm with Ruskin.

David Drew: Christian socialism very strong in Labour
whereas Greens don't want either Christians or socialists.

Nimue: actually I think we have an abundance of both.

Nimue: A strong Quaker presence, locally, and they have a
long history of socialism, political radicalism etc. An inspiring tradition.

David Drew: Golly even the Tory trolls are having a go
now! Clearly haven't got anything better to do.

Nimue: If Labour had social justice policies I could
respect & David Drew directed me to them, I would thank him & recognise
their value.

(This last one was not directed to him, the odds are that
he did not see it.)

Here we are on the 21st October, and I still do not know
what David Drew thinks there is by way of modern social justice policy from the
Labour Party that explains why I would be ‘deluded’ to consider the Greens more
ofsocial justice party. He did not
apologise for being rude to me, and did not substantiate any of his claims.
This is not, in my opinion, how politics ought to work, but he’s following the
lead of Westminster, and actually I think we should be challenging that with
better manners and more emphasis on facts rather than noise.

"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day I can hear her breathing."Arundhati Roy

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I note that these blogs entries may not be the views of the Green Party, but could be considered campaign material during an election. It must therefore be noted they are printed by, promoted by and on behalf of the Stroud District Green Party, 2 The Laurels, Bread Street, Ruscombe, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 6EL.